482 Visa Requirements

You must meet all of the following before a visa can be granted.

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Requirement 1: Employer Sponsorship

Your employer must nominate you before you can apply.

• Your employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor (or have applied to become one)

• Core Skills stream: your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

• Specialist Skills stream: your occupation must be ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6, with salary meeting the Specialist Skills Income Threshold

• Labour Agreement stream: your occupation must be covered under an approved Labour Agreement

• Ask your employer for the Transaction Reference Number (TRN) — you need it when you lodge your application

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Requirement 2: Work in Your Nominated Occupation

You can only work in the occupation and business your employer nominated you for.

• Australian business sponsor: you must work in that business or an associated entity

• Overseas business sponsor: you must work in that business only

• You must start work within 90 days of entering Australia (or your visa grant date if already in Australia)

• Some occupations are exempt — check if yours qualifies

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Requirement 3: At Least 1 Year of Relevant Work Experience

You need 12 months of experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related field.

• Must be gained within the last 5 years

• Full-time, part-time, and casual work all count — part-time must be equivalent to 12 months full-time

• The period does not need to be continuous

• Experience from Masters/PhD study or formal clinical placements and internships may also count, for relevant occupations

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Requirement 4: Salary

You must be paid the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) and no less than the applicable income threshold.

• The AMSR means your salary must match what an equivalent Australian worker earns in the same role and location

• If the market rate is higher than the income threshold, the higher amount applies

• Core Skills stream: the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) applies

• Specialist Skills stream: the Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) applies

• Labour Agreement stream: salary is set by the terms of the agreement

• Thresholds are indexed annually — check the current figure at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before lodging

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Requirement 5: Skills Assessment (Where Required)

For some occupations, a mandatory skills assessment must be started before you apply.

• If mandatory: you must commence it before submitting your visa application — the application is invalid without it

• Include the skills assessment reference number in your application

• Must be undertaken or commenced within the 3 years before you apply

• Assessors: Trades Recognition Australia or VETASSESS, depending on your occupation

• If not mandatory: you must still provide qualification certificates, a CV (last 5 years), and employment references on company letterhead

• The Department can request a skills assessment at any point, even where it is not mandatory

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Requirement 6: English Language

You must meet minimum English proficiency standards unless an exemption applies.

• Test results must be no more than 3 years old at the time you apply

• Accepted tests: IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, CELPIP, LANGUAGECERT Academic, MET

• Exemptions may apply based on your nationality or occupation

• Check current score requirements and exemptions at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

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Requirement 7: Health Insurance

You must hold adequate health insurance for your full stay in Australia.

• Covers you and any secondary applicants from visa grant date until departure

• Must include medically necessary treatment and transport

• This is a visa condition — not meeting it can affect your visa status

• Some countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia — check with Services Australia

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Requirement 8: Health Examinations

You and any family members applying with you must meet the health requirement.

• Health examination results are generally valid for 12 months

• You can complete them before applying or wait for the Department to request them

• Completing them before you apply reduces processing time

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Requirement 9: Character

You and any family members aged 16 or over must meet the character requirement.

• Provide an Australian Federal Police (AFP) certificate if you have spent 12+ months in Australia in the last 10 years since turning 16

• Only complete disclosure National Police Certificates issued by the AFP are accepted — state or territory police certificates are not

• Provide overseas police certificates from every country where you have spent 12+ months in the last 10 years

• Accredited sponsor exception: overseas certificates (other than AFP) are not required if your sponsor provides a reference confirming your good character

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Requirement 10: Compliance with Previous Visa Conditions

If you are in Australia at the time of decision, you must have substantially complied with your last visa conditions.

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Requirement 11: No Debt to the Australian Government

Any outstanding debt to the Australian Government must be paid, or repayment arranged, before the visa can be granted. This applies to you and any family members.

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Requirement 12: No Payment for Sponsorship

You must not have paid for, offered, or received a benefit in exchange for a sponsorship event in the past 3 years. The Minister may disregard this in certain circumstances.

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Requirement 13: Australian Values Statement

If you are 18 or over, you must confirm you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws by signing an Australian Values Statement.